The 10 Best Fireproof Safes Buying Guide for Your Home or Office

If there’s something that’s creating a buzz all over the world from the past six months, it’s the Australian bush fires. To date, these bush fires have crept into and destroyed almost 3000 homes in that area.

It makes us think that all our hard-earned resources and even items beyond monetary value are always subject to risk in our homes. So, the best fireproof safes protect your house from these bush fires.

Even if you have a durable, sturdy, safe at home, without fire protection, it won’t stand a chance against the elements.

The only solution is to get the best fireproof safe for yourself, to rule out the risk of losing all your possessions in a matter of minutes.

At least then, you’ll be at peace that even if a calamity strikes, you’ll have your cash, documents, and treasures to start over.

Best Fireproof Safe To Protect Your Prized Possessions

With the increasing apprehension of homeowners regarding house fires, more and more brands are coming out with the best safes, each one better than the other.

In such a situation, it’s challenging to figure out which one to choose from the lot.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve listed our top fireproof safe reviews in this article to help you make the ideal purchase for yourself. So let’s dive in.

1. SentrySafe SFW123DSB Fireproof Safe

SentrySafe is a pioneering brand when it comes to high-quality fireproof safes. Founded almost eighty years ago in New York, the company has been providing reliable security solutions to give your valuables the protection they need.

This SFW123DSB safe is an excellent option for the best home fire safe. It can endure 1700 degrees of heat for about an hour.

Meaning, you get ample time to retrieve your possessions from the safe even if its engulfed in fire.

Besides that, the safe has credible certification regarding its fireproof abilities. It’s UL classified and thoroughly tested to withstand high temperatures.

Also, it is ETL verified and designed to shut down tightly in case of a fire. Even if it falls from a height of 15 feet, it won’t break open.

Furthermore, the safe has other exciting features as well. These include four live-locking bolts, adjustable shelves, and a pry-resistant combination lock system.

Most importantly, this safe is entirely waterproof. It can stay up to eight inches deep inside a water body without letting the liquid seep through and damage your items.

Also, its durable, hardened steel construction is reinforced with an anti-corrosive coating that makes sure the safe will last you long term.

2. SentrySafe CHW20221 Fireproof Box

The Sentry Safe CHW20221 is another trustworthy fireproof safe option from the celebrated brand. Many reasons make it qualify for our best fireproof safe for documents, jewelry, heirlooms, and firearms.

Firstly, this UL classified safe can stay engulfed in a fire for about half an hour without any damage to your items inside.

Roughly, it can endure about 1550 degrees of heat, which is enough to destroy your documents and even incur irreversible damage to your jewelry and firearms if not protected.

Secondly, the safe protects your valuables against floods as well. It has reliable ETL verification. This means it can withstand a whopping 72 hours of submersion underwater.

You can easily retrieve your safe from a flood situation with all your items safe and sound inside.

Thirdly, this best fireproof safe is highly accessible. It is small but has enough capacity to store about two handguns with their ammo. Besides that, you can store your documents, USBs, DVDs, and even cash.

Most importantly, it can easily store A4 size documents, so you don’t have to fold them. Moreover, this best fire safe has sturdy internal straps to keep your essential records in place.

Lastly, it comes with a traditional key locking system. It eliminates the hassle of battery changing and managing manual unlocking operations.

3. SentrySafe SFW205CWB Fireproof Safe

As a pioneering brand for security safes and accessories, SentrySafe has a wide range of fireproof safe choices for you.

This SFW205CWB is perhaps the best fireproof safe for home, attributing to its durability and accessibility.

The safe is UL classified and can withstand fire exposure for more than an hour. The hardened steel walls have a double fireproof layering that keeps the interior utterly immune to the heat.

Even if the safe is engulfed in a fire and reaches 1700 degrees, your documents and valuables will not be harmed at all.

Furthermore, the thick door reinforced with six robust live bolts is designed to remain closed if the surface of the safe gets hot.

This way, the heat won’t seep in and damage your documents and valuables until you retrieve them.

Besides that, the safe has reliable waterproofing features. It can survive 24 hours of submersion underwater.

The ETL verification makes it a go-to option for homes where there’s a flood threat at all times. Moreover, this model has lots of capacity inside.

You can store all of your valuables, including heirlooms, cash, documents, and firearms. It has a lower tray and internal drawer to keep objects safely hidden inside.

4. Tagorine Security Safe

Tagorine is an online brand offering high-quality home appliances, home improvement gadgets, and security accessories.

Their products are affordable and give you the utility you need. This small Tagorine security safe is one of the best fireproof safes for cash.

First of all, it has a well-grounded electronic lock system. You can store a digital code according to your preference so that you don’t forget it easily.

Besides that, the safe comes with an override unlocking key to help you get in when the battery is low.

Furthermore, it has a solid steel construction that protects the items inside from the elements outside.

The thick steel walls have fireproof layering that keeps your valuables safe in case of fire. However, this safe is not UL or ETL listed like other models from high-end brands.

Moreover, this small safety box is lightweight but has ample capacity for documents, cash, jewelry, and firearms as well.

You can also carry it along with you while traveling or staying away from home to keep your passports and valuables safe.

While at home, you can bolt it to your walls, inside your cupboards, or even to the floor. The box comes with pre-drilled holes and the hardware you need for hassle-free installation.

5. SentrySafe SFW123CU Fireproof Safe

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The SentrySafe SFW123CU is another fireproof safe; that’s one of the best safes available today.

Although it’ll cost you more than its contemporaries from other renowned brands, it provides complete quality assurance for its customers.

This fireproof safe has official UL classification, which means it can take almost 1700 degrees of heat for over an hour.

Its thick steel walls, integrated with fireproof layering make sure that the interior temperature does not waver during a disaster at home.

You can retrieve your valuable items in their original condition when the fire is in control.

Besides that, most homes have fire alarm systems that turn water sprays on when the fire is detected.

That’s why your fireproof safe should facilitate water exposure, or else the water sprays will end up spoiling your documents.

This safe can endure water submersion in about eight inches of water for a whole day.

The thick doors have additional barriers that keep water from seeping inside so that your cash, passports, and other certificates remain unscathed.

Most importantly, the safe has a high capacity cushioned interior, protected by a mechanical combination lock.

Also, the live locking bolts and concealed hinges give you protection against break-ins and burglaries.

6. SentrySafe EF4738E Fireproof And Waterproof Safe

The SentrySafe EF4738E fireproof and waterproof safe is the ultimate choice for those who do not like compromising on quality.

Although it will burn a massive hole in your pocket, this model has everything you can ask for in the best fireproof safes.

Starting with the basics, it has UL classified fireproofing ability, along with an ETL verification for active water resistance.

It can endure fire for about half an hour, which gives you enough time to get your documents out when you’re evacuating the site.

Moreover, this fireproof safe can protect your valuables from water damage even if it’s submerged up to 12 inches in the water.

Also, the safe can stay in that situation for up to three days without letting the water through its thick doors. This way, you can be at peace during flood situations as well.

Additionally, the safe has a digital combination lock system that you can customize according to your preference.

This way, you can set a password that’s easy for you to remember. Also, you can use the override keys provided to get through your safe if you forget the passcode or want someone else to obtain an item for you.

7. AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Box

As you might’ve guessed by the name, AmazonBasics is Amazon’s private online label that sells everything from home appliances to tech accessories and security equipment. At nominal prices, they offer the best quality to their customers.

This large fire-resistant safe has combined technology to combat both theft and natural calamities.

It is thoroughly tested by Intertek to comply with UL 72 Safety Standards. This means it can handle 1200 degrees of total fire exposure for more than 20 minutes.

Furthermore, it has a heavy-duty 14-gauge construction that’s sure to backfire all kinds of burglary and break-in attempts.

The steel layer will not succumb to crowbars or drill machines. Also, the safe has five thick locking bolts attached to its door to maximize security.

Moreover, it has an accessible electronic locking system designed to provide quick access to the user.

All you have to do is punch in your passcode in the LED-lit keypad, and the door will open immediately.

You’ll also get a pair of keys to unlock the safe manually in case the battery runs out in emergencies

8. Stack-On PFS-1608 Personal Steel Fireproof Safe

Stack-on is a well-known home safe company based in Illinois. Operating since 1972, the brand has been delivering high-quality security products, including home safes, fireproof safes, and firearm security products for 45 years.

The PFS-1608 is a great fireproof safe option for those who need a small, protective safe.

This model is constructed out of hardened, welded steel. The material gives the safe maximum protection against drilling and break-ins.

Besides that, the thick walls provide reliable fire protection for up to half an hour.

This means in a fire situation; you have enough time to get your valuables and savings before evacuating the site.

Furthermore, the interior is luxurious and accessible. There’s lots of space for all your precious items, heirlooms, documents, cash, and jewelry.

Along with that, you can adjust the shelf to your preference to make room for larger items, or to store more items.

Most importantly, the shelves are cushioned, and the interior is completely carpeted to avoid scratches and abrasions to your prized possessions.

9. Honeywell Fire And Waterproof Safe Box

Honeywell International is a renowned company operating since 1999 in multiple sectors. They manufacture impeccable technology to provide innovative solutions for everyday consumer needs.

This fie and waterproof safe box is the best safe box for home if you need one.

This small, molded chest has enough room for your documents, passports, flash drives, and DVDs.

It protects your valuables from fire and water, so you don’t lose them to a natural occurrence. The fire protection on this safe is UL classified.

This means the safe can endure fire exposure up to 1550 degrees for more than half-hour at a stretch.

It will protect your valuables long enough for you to collect them after the situation is under control.

Besides that, the box has excellent water resistance as well. The robust waterproof seal makes sure that not a drop enters the safe even when it’s submerged underwater.

It can stay up to 39 inches underwater without getting your possessions wet for about 100 hours.

Buying Guide

Now that you’ve been through all our best fireproof safe reviews, you must be ready to make your purchase.

If you’ve not yet decided on which safe to pick for yourself, don’t worry. It’s not necessary that you find what you need from our list.

You can assess a product and check whether it works for you or not if you have the correct information. Here’s our detailed buying guide to help you evaluate your options carefully before clicking that button.

Capacity

The first feature you’ll think of before getting a safe for yourself is the capacity. Usually, for fireproof safes, people go for a smaller size.

That’s because we mostly need fireproofing for documents, certificates, and cash. All of this can easily fit inside a small fireproof box.

However, small boxes are not always as reliable when it comes to effective fireproofing.

That’s because large boxes have thicker walls and doors and are not built to be portable, unlike small safes that have a lightweight design.

Make sure you choose the perfect balance between both aspects when going for the best fireproof safe.

Fireproofing Temperature And Time

Next comes the overall fireproofing ability of your safe. To see how good your safe is at keeping fire out, check the maximum temperature and for how long the safe can withstand it.

The ideal safe should at least keep your documents safe for an hour before you can retrieve them.

Fireproofing Certification

Let’s face it; there are many brands out there claiming their safes to be completely fireproof when they’re not.

To make sure you don’t get caught in a scam, always look for certification details for the product before buying.

If a product is UL classified, it’s good to go. Other regional security certifications are a high plus point as well.

Water Resistance

Fire and water resistance go hand in hand. Most homeowners have protective fire alarms around their homes in areas that are prone to wildfires.

These alarms release water sprays when the temperature rises. In this case, the water can spoil your documents and valuables inside the safe, if it’s not waterproof.

Besides that, if you’re worried about natural calamities, you’re at equal risk of facing a flood as you are of facing a house fire.

Waterproofing is always a great feature to have along with fireproofing for the ultimate protection.

FAQs

How Do Fireproof Safes Work?

The basic fireproofing technique that most high-quality fireproof safes use is the composite layering method.

Usually, a composite material is inserted between two layers of steel in the walls and the door to provide insulation.

This creates a certain amount of steam inside the safe, which keeps the internal temperature regulated even in the event of a fire.

Will Money Burn In A Fireproof Safe?

Although fireproof safes are designed to keep your cash and documents safe, it cannot be said that money will not entirely burn in a fireproof safe.

Each model has its own endurance temperature and time limit. If you fail to retrieve your cash before that, it will most likely burn.

What Rating Should A Fireproof Safe Have?

The ideal fire rating your safe should have to provide protection for paper valuables like currency and documents is a one-hour fire rating.

Some small safes have a 20 or 30 minutes rating; that’s not enough to protect paper valuables.

What Materials Are Used To Fireproof Safes?

Attributing to technological advancements, the choice for new fire-resistant materials is increasing every day.

Most commonly, materials such as perlite, insulate, and vermiculite are used in fireproof safes to regulate the internal temperature.

Final Words.

That wraps up our best fireproof safe reviews. There are lots of brands, each with a versatile product range to choose from.

The ideal fireproof safe for your needs is the one that can fit all your valuables, provide theft deterrence, and water protection as well.

Make sure the safe you choose ticks all the boxes before purchasing so that your investment lasts you a lifetime.

References

Home Safety: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_safety

Home Safety Techniques: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560539/

Choosing and Using a Home Safe: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/01/choosing-and-using-a-home-safe/index.htm

The Importance of Home Safety Equipment: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-importance-home-safety-equipment.html